Clay-pigeon trap



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` v c. o. CAROTHERS CLAY PIGEON TRAP Dec. 8, 1923.

WIT/VESSES EAWQMZ c. o. cARoTHERs CLAY PIGEON TRAP Filed 001'.. 24. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l? C. Cwrot/zen- A NORA/EVS Dec. T18 1923.

C. O. CIAROTHERS CLAY PIGEN TRAP Filed Oct. 24. 1922 4 Sheets-Shed, 3

A TTUR/VEYS W/T/VESSES Dec. 18', 1923.,

C. O. CAROTHERS CLAY PIGEON TRAP 4 Sheets-Sham 4 Filed Oct. 24, 1922 IN1/ENIGH @0Ghz-nhern EL@ f Patented Dec.. i8, 31923 errantes o. oanornnss. or Knr-iron, onto.

Y CLAY-Prenom maar.

application fuea encheres 1922.

To (/Z whom t may concern Be it known that I, Cnr-.nnss O. CAnoTrL ma a citizen of the VUnited States, and a resident oi"- Kentoin'in the'county oflnlarden and State off Ohio, have inventedy certain new and useful Improvements in Clay- Pigeon Traps, of which the 'following is a specification.

li/iy invention relates to improvements in clay pigeon traps and it consists et the con structions, combinations and mode of operation herein described and claimed.

Ein, object oi' the invention is to provide a mechanism for throwing clay pigeons tor the plnpose oi trap shooting, means being embodied in the VVAiechanisni to changethe riale ot the projectile with each throwing ation so that the successive projectiies r-kill'depart in diterent directions in the throwing plane.l

further object oit' the invention is to provide a target cariier and traine upon which it is mounted and by which it is carried both oi which moveV relatively to eacii other both in setting and releasinnthe trap, the amount of movement of the trame varying each time so as to cause. successive targetsto depart at different ang-les.

i further object oit the invention is to acroinplish changing the angles ot departure uit' successive target-s automatically, that is to say, without attention or effort on the part oi the trap setter.

A further object oiQ the inventionis to provide clay pigeon trap which includes a frame pivotally mounted upon base in a balancedV position and adapted jby virtue of said pivotal mounting to cause targetsy to be thrown either to the right or tot ie lett of a central line.

fr further object oi the invention is to provide what is hereinafter tern'ied a rebound spring whichl regulates the distance to which the targets are thrownL at both the richt and lett angles, making all targets *el to the same distance.

.her objects and advantages will appear the following specification, reference behad to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation-illustratinga pigeon trap constructed in accordance with the invention,

Serial No. 596,631.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the clay' pigeon trap omitting' thesetting lever and associated parts,

Fig; 3 is a plan view of the trap,

Fig. 4 is a similar view omitting the target carrier but showing the latter in the dis` charging position, parts ofthetrap being shown in the positions they assume when the trap is set and about to be discharged,

Fig; 5 is a section taken substantially on the line 5%-5 of Fig. 4',

6 is a detail cross: section taken on the line y (3-6 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 7 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 7 7 ot Fig. Q,

Fig. 8 isa plan view et the ratchet which has lugs with which aston on the frame eooperates in order to change the angle of the traine at each operation,

Fig. 9 is a diagram which illustrates the target discharging function of the trap is fully described below, and V Fig. l0 is a detail cross section on line 10-10" or' Fig. 2.

According to a generaldescription, a clay pigeon trap is a device composed of a traine. arms, springs, levers, etc;, which are so ar ranged that the device will throw targets at a distancel of about fty yards and by adjustment throw them at all angles .within a radius oit approximately degrees. Clay pigeon traps usuallyV work on a pivot and require the attention of an operator to set the trap each time a different angle within the 45 degrees mentioned, is desired.

The rules ot trap shooting require that each succeeding target shall be thrown at an angle differenttroin the one last thrown, that is to say, at an angle different trom the last one employed within the 45 degree portion of the throwing radius. It is the purpose of this invention to automatically arrange the trap at each successive operation so that it will throw a 4target at a different angle each time. This lis done without eiiiort or attention on the part of the loader or trap setter and hence is ae complished automatically, As the shooter has no way et knowing at precisely what angle the next target is to be thrown, there can be no possible suggestion of collusion between any shooter and the trap setter.

Furthermore, the rules oit trap shooting require that the targets shall be thrown at least fty yards and shall travel substantially the same distance at all angles. Tests have proved that targets thrown with the machine described below were carried at the same velocity at all angles within the range of the machine, each target traveling exactly the same distance. This result is accomplished in part by the function of a certain rebound spring which serves to check the momentum of the target carrier when delivering in a predetermined portion of the angle of discharge.v

Consider now the construction of the clay pigeon trap. It is composed of a base 1, frame 2 and target carrier 3. The base is fixed in one position by any suitable means 4. The base has a boss 5 upon which the frame 2 is pivotally. mounted at 6, the

pivotal mounting being composed of a bolt or other suitable type of bearing pin upon which the bearing boss 7 of the frame. is

' fitted.

The frame 2 is adapted to swing horizontally upon its pivotal mounting 6, being limited in its movement toward the left by a stop 8 on the base and toward the right by pins 9 and 10 on a ratchet 11. The frame has a lug 12 to engage the pins when moving toward the right. The lug does not engage both pins at once but does engage one or the other, depending on which one is in the path of the lug. Furthermore, the lug is made double, as shown in Fig. 10, so as to insure engagement with a pin should the lug assume such a position that one of the lug members will pass without striking. The lug is laterally adjustable on the frame by the means 13.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the frame 2 stands at an acute angle to the ground. The obvious purpose of this arrangement is to insure throwing the targets up into the air. The target carrier 3 by which the throwing is accomplished, is keyed at 14 (Fig. 3) to the Lipper' end of a shaft 15 which has bearing at 16 on the frame. The

frame is generally of an open rectangular shape, the target carrier 3 being mounted on top and other parts of the operating mechanism are disposed -on what might be termed the inside.

Keyed to the shaft 15 on the inside of the frame 2 is a crank 17. The pin 1S of the crank carries a brass or' other link 19 to which one end of a coil spring 2O is attached. The connection between the spring and the link is not made directly, but is made through a coupling bolt 21. Lugs 22 on the ends of a pair of arms which are included in the links 19, are adapted t-o engage the bolts 21 when setting the trap and thereby prevent the links 19 from swinging outwardly in either direction from the pinV 18. The lugs 22 and bolts 21 rigidify the connection of the spring 20 to the links to a certain extent.

A connection similar to the bolt 21 is made between the opposite end of the coil spring 20 and an operating arm 23. This arm is pivotedat 24 to a lug 25 on the inside of the rear bridge portion of the frame 2. This arm has three holes to receive the connection of the coil spring, the hook end of a tension rod 26l and the hook end of a pull link 27 respectively. The pull link is fastened to a coupling 28 in which one end of the setting rod 29 (Fig. 1) is fastened. The other end of this rod is pivotally attached to the setting lever 30, which lever is carried by a casting 31 located at the trap operators station.' The rod 29 may be as long as desired ioV Adjustably attached to the coupling 28 is V one end of a dog bar 32, the other end of which has connection at 33 with a dog arm 34 (Fig. 8). This arm carries a dog 35 and being pivoted on the same shaft 36, upon which the ratchet 11 has bearing, is susceptible to such movement as will convey-the dog 35 in an arcuate path around a portion o f the periphery of the ratchet and thereby advance the ratchet 'at each forward movement of the setting lever 30. A forward movement of the setting lever is in the direction of the arrow a in Fig. 1, and a rearward movement would be the reverse. Counter-rotation of the ratchet is obtained by a pair of dogs 3T which are mounted on an extension of the base 1 in any convenient manner. The rathct 11 has one or more blank teeth 38 for the purpose of producing a variation in the operation of the ratchet and adding to the uncertainty of the angles at whichV the frame 2 will be stopped.

As far as described, the reader will understand that a forward movement of the setting lever 30 will exert a push on the operating arm 23 through the medium of the. link 27 and cause the frame 2 to'rock on'its pivot 6 toward the left until an adjacent part of the rear bridge 39 strikes against the stop 8.

39 may also be made to strike against a front stop 40 so as to limitl the movement of the frame 2 toward the right, but as the limiting of this particular direction of movement .is taken care of by the'pins 9 and 10 and lug 12, the stop screw 40 will be screwed out to an inoperative position and simply left in place for such times when its use may be desired. Theaforesaid forward movement of the setting lever 3() causes the carrier 3 to turn from the discharging position (dotted lines in Fig. 4) to the set position in'Fig. 3. It is easy to see that the forward movement of the setting lever causes the operating arm 23 to swing forwardly also and as the spring i 2O is connected to this arm, it follows that CXI left of the shaft l5 (Fig. 7) and thus` turn the, carrier in a; clockwise direction. until it. catches on thelatchv4l. It: is.y here that the lthe latch so that the shoulder 47 stands in.

readiness to engage akeeper 48 on the underside ofthe carrier. The upward movement of the latch is limited by a pin49 which eX- tends across the U-frame 43.

Anopening 50 adjacent to the tree end ot thelatehisadapted to receive the end 5l' of arelease crank. This crank-is pivoted at 52 on a boss53 which extends -to one sideot the casting 44. The other arm 54 extendsdovvn from' the` pivotal point` so; asto'standy in the Way of the operating arm 23.

Should the operator now draw back on the setting lever 3() in the direction opposite to the. arrow a inFig. l, the operating arm 23 Willbe drawn back correspondingly and put the coil spring 2t)A under` tension.` It is this spring that furnishes the motive power for kthe propulsion oi the target Acarrier 3 to the discharging position. Assuming the target carrier to be insuch position' inFig 3 and held byvirtue ofthe engagement of the latch shoulder-47 with the keeper 48, the reader Will readily understand that as soon4 as the arm 23.is drawn back fary enough to reach the release vcrank 54, that crank will be rocked to` depress the latchv and release the carrier. The spring 20, now under tension, pulls'down. onthe crank 17 and Whirls the carrierv 3 around Withitsa-Xle tov discharge Y the target.v it. should have beenstated, that thejcasting 44 carries a rubber. bumper 55 against Whichv the carrier strikesv When returned to the set positionin` Fig.` 3. The target consists of a disk 56 (Figi. 9 of clay or other suitable material which is insertedvbetweenthe; outer flange 57 andv the guide. 58 of` the target carrier. TheV guide consists of a rubber strip Whichismountedin a metallic clip 59 on top of a flange 60 (Fig. 6) to which it is secured by the means 6l. The purpose of the rubber guide strip is to engage the targets and obviate vany-undue looseness thereof. A guide Wire 62 at the uppermost end of the leading edge of the carrier accomplishes the purpose ot holding the target dovvnon the carrier so as to prevent the Wind from getting under the targets and guiding them higher than their renular iii -h Y inanglinggiinger 63 4oi''ers a stop for the target when inserted in place on the carrier. This finger projects-through a slot 66. in the flange 6() and-extendsfover the carrier 3 a short distance. A similar linger 65 is adapted to move in a slot 66 in the flange 60. The latter inger assumes a position reverse oi that of the finger its purpose is merely to follow the angling linger 63.

Both fingers are mounted on a slide 662l and are a ranged so as to be capable ot adjustment it such should be necesa; rv. The slide l a tongue 6i" which occupies a position in the slot 63 of a table 69. This table is supported by brackets ZO from the upper arm or deck ot the frame 2 and 'for this reason the table 69, slide 66L and lingers 63, 65 swing with the 'traine 2 when the latter is swung on its fulcrum 6.

rThe slide 66H, hoivever, partakes of a sliding motion on the table, vfor which purpose the tongue 6'? and slot 68 are provided. This sliding motion is accomplished by a reversed S-shaped rod Tl (Fig. 2), the upper bent end of which has connection at -72 With the slide 66, the lower bent end orF which is inserted in one ci plurality of openings 73 of a stand 74 (Fig. 6). This stand is secured in place on the Remembering that the base l is that the stand 74 is also tiz-:ed a consequence) the reader will see that moving the iframe 2 toward the lett as in he setting position will cause the slide 66a to ride npvardly on the table 69 hy virtue ot the connection ot' the -rod il. This puts the angling finger 63 in the desired position, which may be regarded as au initial or iixed position (for it does not vary in respect to anyv other part of the machine) to receive the target 56. Moving the it une 2 toward the right as in the dicharging position, will result in a downward movement oi the slide 66a on the table 69.

But the slide 66, and consequently the linger `63, does not always have the saine degree ot movement, and in tact, the length or degree ot movement is never the same in consecutive operations liu-.cause the length of swinging motion of the 'traine 2 is perpetually either lengthened or shortened by virtue of the changing positions ot' the pins 9 and l0 on the ratchet ll. This can be readily understooc. Each forward or setting niotion turns the ratchet ll one step. That places either the pin 9 or l() one step nearer to the lug l2. The trame is therefore stopped the distance oi? one lug less on moving toward the right in a discharging operation. Thisstopping at a distance ot one lug less, resn ts in a reduction oi: the movement of the finger 63 so that the place ot release ot' the target vvill be at a point slightly higher up on the carrier than the place of release et the target preceding.

Mention is made above ot the tension rod 26, the hook end oin which occupies the last one of the plurality of holes in the end ot the operating arm 23. This tension rod ,fixed (and lUO llO

bers oiE the traine if.

carries two springs and 76, one on one side oi a steering bracket 77, another on the other side. The bearing bracket is lined in place between the upper and lower ineinr.lherc is an opening in the bearing hub ciI the bracket to let the rod through, but this opening is considerably larger than the diameter ot the rod-in order to permit the rod to assume the rathei` extreme position. in lligl 3. virtue of the size oft this opening, it is necessary lo provide something` for the springs to bear against and the washers 78 and Y?) furnish such bearing.

llilhon the setting lever 30 is pulled bach,

the tension rod 2G is pulled back corre-V spondingly (Fig. 4l) and the sgi-ing 7G is compress d against the bearing i" by a nut 8O on the end oli the rod. The 'tension ol` the spring 'i'l holds the traine 2 (lug 1Q) lirnily against the stop on the ratchet. When setting the trapthe spring T5 is put under tension (see Fig 2 which is intended merely 'lor illustration) and thus push the traine 2 toward the lett until it is checked by the stop 8.

lt has been pontedout that the target'lnis the longest distance to travel when retained by the angling linger ($3 in the uppermost position in respect to the carrier7 and the shortest distance to travel when retained by the 'linger at the lowermof-it position in respect to the cr-irrier. ln order to oll'set the tendency oit throwing a target to a greater distance when released at the upperniost position ol the linger G3 a spring 8l is arranged in such a way as to check the carrier in its nioveinent. This is the. rebound spring mentioned on two occasions above.

This spring is coiled around the lower end of the shai't l5.V The lower-most end is Ytastened beneath a stirrup 82, the uppermost end being free but turned over into the shape oi Y a hook 83. The shaft carries a pin 8a which is adapted to engage the hook 83, whereupon the spring absorbs the shock ol contact and acts as 4a brace to diminish the speed of the carrier 3. The pin Se docs not engage the hook until the carrier has made about twothirds oli' its iiight7 whereupon the pin cornes into contact with the hook of the rebound spring, checks the speed of the carrier and secures the result of throwing the target out the same distance regardless ot whether the target was released at the high point of the linger 63 or at the low point thereof. The stirrup 82 has a slot 85 which the shanlr of a bolt 86 occupies. This arrangement enables adjustment oit` the rebound spring so that the pin may be made to engage the hoolr early or late in its arcuate movement and consequently regulate the width of the angle or area of distribution.

ri set screw 87 (Figs. 2 and 5) enables liXing the frame 2 so that'it will not roc-lr `and even more.

on its fulcrum 6 at each setting and Vdis- 5. The purpose of thus setting the trame is to utilize the trap for double target shooting. Double targets are not likely to prescribe the same paths in successsion and therefore the angle changing function ofthe tramev may be omitted.

rllhe operation may be brieliy summarized. The diagram in Fig. 9 is described inin'iediately below. Assume Ythe pin 9 to have traversed its circular path until it Vas- Y snmcs the position Very little room is lett Yfor the frame@ to swing on the fulcrum 6 and consequently the angling linger (S3 assumes its uppermost position in respect to the target carrier 8. f

Upon the release of the carrier 3 (which accomplished by pulling baclr on the set-V ting lever SO in Fig. l) the carrier will swing around on the arc c. The target 56 will be retained on the carrier until the carrier Vhas swung tar enough to enable the target to lli pass beneath the end of the linger 63. This it does at the point fl, and together with thereafter moving in an outward direction on the carrier and the carrier itsel'l. moving in a circular path, causes the target to prescribe a parabolic curve e until the point of release f is reached. At this point, the target departs on a tangent and is thrown up in the air substantially along the line g.Y

.A ssunic next that the pin 9 occupies the position it. rllhis represents the other extremity of the trame 2, the position of which is indicated in dot and dash lines.

a' and a target now inserted in the carrier will assume the Vposition 7c instead ot the fullV the circular movement of the carrier will result in the parabolic path m ofthe target which ends at the point a from which theV target departs at a tangent o into space.

The reader will observe that in the lirst The langling finger 63 will have slid down to the position lll-0 lll).

instance given abovegthe point of release oi the target 55 (full lines) was higher up on the target carrier 3 (nearer the shaft l5) and consequently it was subjected to afgreater sweep, or brought under the influence of the centrifugal Jorce to a greater extent than was the target 7:, cited in the second-instance. The diagram in 9 is not en tirely7 correct. as regards the point or' departure f and a because the target carrier swings around approximately 180 degrees,

l-lowever, as an illustration of what actually occurs in the operation of the trap, the diagrammatic lines in ig. 9 are believed adequate to'jfuliill the purpose. As the frame 2 will change its position between the extremes illustrated in 9 with eac-h o-peration of the trap it follows that the angling finger 63 will also assume different positions between the eX- tremes illustrated in full and dot and dash lines. This in turn means that the point of departure of the target will be different each time because the carrier does not describe the same are in successive operations. Assume the trap to be in a discharging position. lSuchpa position is suggested by the 'dotted lines in Fig.` 4. 1

lnorder to set the trap, the operator first pushes forwardly in the direction of the arrowain Fig. l. This, through the medium Aof the link 27, pushes forwardly on the .arm 23 so that'the spring 75 compresses against the 0bearing 77g and rocks4 the. entire `framfei2 Atowardthe left on. its fulcrum 6. This movement ofthe 4frame is limited by the/ stop 8 (Figrm2). kPushing forwardly on the arm 23 causes the spring 2O (which is connectedto the'arm) to push on the crank 17 in aclockwise direction so that the carriere?) is brought around into the full` line position in `Fig. 3, caught by the `latch 41 and 1heldin the set vposition by Vvirtue ofthe engagement ofthe shoulder .p47 withthe keeper 4S. The same `forward movement described, .swings the dog arm 3ft through the medium. ofthe rod 32 yso that the dog 35v turnsthe ratchet wheel` l1 to a new place and shifts the positions of the pins 9 andl'O These acts are accomplished ,in the `setting operation.

V. `To discharge the trap, the operator pulls y back on thesetting lever 3,0.A This lin turn v4causes a backward pullon theroperating arm `23 sol thatthe .coil spring 20 is put under tension. Putting the .spring under l'pnsion tends .to revolve the shaft l5 and target `carrier 3 in the counter-clockwise direction, but such tendency is checked by the latch 41'. However, the operating arm 23 willsoon reach kthe arm r54C ofthe latch releasingv cranl; which, upon engagement by thevarm 23, Vwill Vdepress the latch and re- -leasevthe carrier. The stored tension in itheusprin'g 2O simply swings the carrier 'around as described'in connection with Fig.

9l and causes the discharge of the target. The same backward pull. ofthe lever 30 and yof the arm 23 causes ya pressure on the upper .sidevof thebea-ring 77 by virtuexof the engagement of the` spring 76 and thus moves Athe frame 2 around until the lug`l2 engages and. is stopped' byone or'rthevother of the pins 9, l0, whichever happens to be in position. l .p A

-`While the constructionand arrangement of the .improved clay pigeon rtrapfas herein described 'and claimed, is that of a generally preferred form, obviously modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit. of the invention 0r the scope of the claims.

I claimzi l. A clay pigeon trap comprising a target carrler, means to move the carrier into a discharging position, and means extending over the carrier while in the loading position to retain a target on the carrier until the carrier hasmoved away from said means in passing to the discharging position.

2. A clay pigeon trap comprising a target carrier, a finger extending over the carrier to retain a target in a substantially stationary position on the carrier until the end of the finger is passed, and means to swing the carrier into a discharging position.

3. A clay pigeon trap comprising a target carrier, means to move said carrierinto a position to discharge a target carried thereby, and target contacting means movable in respect to the carrier while moving to said discharging position to regulate the point of discharge of said target from the carrier so as to vary the angle of flight from the angle of Hight of a preceding target.

4. A clay pigeon trap comprising a targetcarrier, means to move said carrier to discharge a target carried thereby, means disposed over the carrier to retain the target a predetermined time before releasing it when the carrier moves to said discharging position, and means to var7 the position of said retaining means in respect to the carrier to accordingly vary the time of reiease of the target and change the angle of fiight of a target from that of a preceding one.

5. A clay pigeon trap comprising a target carrier, means to move said carrier to discharge a target carried thereby, means disposed over the. carrier to retain the target on the carrier untii the carrier has moved far enough to enable the target to pass said retaining means, and means to move the taining means to a different position in respect to the carrier at each discharging operation and before the carrier is moved in such operation.

6. A clay .pigeon trap comprising a target carrier, means to move the carrier to dischargel a target carried thereby, means located in respect to the carrier to retain a target until the carrier has moved far enough to let the target pass said retaining means, and means to shift said retaining means longitudinally of the carrier and in a different position in respect thereto at each target discharging operation but prior to the movement of said carrier in accomplishing said operation.

. 7. A clay pigeon trap comprising a target earrier, a frame upon which the carrier .is mounted to -swing to a discharging position,

llO

`means carried by the 'frame and disposedV over the carrier to ret-ain a target in substantially one place until the carrier has moved enough to let the target pass said means, means to change the position oit the traine with each trap shooting operation to accordingly change the position ofthe carrier, an d means to shift said retaining means in respect to the carrier with each change of position oit the trame to vary the place at which the targets are held.

8. cls i7 pigeon trap comprising a target `earrier, a trame on Which the carrier is mounted to move to a discharging position, means carried by the frame and extending' over the carrier to retain a target in substantially one position until the carrier moves far enough to let the target pass said retaining means, a base upon which the frame is pivotally mounted. means to adjust the' trame upon Vsaid mounting so that it assumes different radial positions, and means for shifting said retainino' means With each4 of said adjustments. l

9. A clay. pigeon trap comprising a target carrier., a trame upon which the carrier is mounted to swing to a discharging position.

means carried by the traine extending over the carrier to reta-in target in substantiall;7 one position until the carrier swings tar enough to let the target pass said retaining Vmeans,-a base upon which the frame is pivotally mounted, means causing the iframe to turn on its pivotalY mounting with each shooting` operation to thereby adjust it to a dilte-rentradial oositioin and means connecti ed between said retaining means and the base causing the retaining means to assume a different position in respect to the carrier with each frame adjustment to thereby vary the place at which thetargets are retained on the carrier.

Y 10. A clay pigeon trap comprising a target carrier, a trameA upon which the carrier is mounted to swing to a discharging position, a latch holding the carrier in a setjposition, a base on which the iframe is pivotalli mounted, means carried f by the trame eX- tending over the carrierto retain a target in substantially one position until the carrier 'has moved far enough to let the target pass said retaining means, means through Which the iframe is caused Vto siting on its pivotal mounting to a predetermined position Vand which then engages the latch to release the l carrier. and eonnectingmeans between said retaining means and the base causing the former to assume av retaining position in re- Y, spect tofthe carrier as the trame moves but before. the carrier is released.V

11. Aclay pigeon trap comprising a tar-- getrcarrier, a trame, a shaft byY which the carrier is mounted on the frame, means to turn the sha-tt and thereby move the carrier to ,e .discharging position,V` means on the to shiit theV retaining :frame is swung.

frame to retain the carrier in the .loading position, means carried by the trame extending over the carrier While'in the loading position toretain a tarOfet until reieased bv said means as the carrier moves to the diseY charging position, a base on which theftranie is pivotallr mounted/ .operating means to which the shaft turningmeans has connection: having connecting means to tiret turn the `frame on its pivot then depress the latch to release the carrier, and connecting means between said retaining means and the base means duringthe turning of the trame. Y. Y f Y Y 12. A clay pigeon trap comprising aloase` a frame pivotally mounted thereon7 a target carrier, a shaft by which the carrier is mounted on the trame, means includingl a spring having a connection toturn the shaft and thereby more the carrier to a discharging position, a latch onthe frame to hold the vcarrier in a loading position'. an operating arm mounted on thev 'raine to which the Other end of the spring is connected, a connection-between said arm and apart ot the frame to swing the trame on its pirotwhen said a 1m is movedy toput the spring under tension, means carried by the Jframe entending over the carrier While in the loading .position to retain a targetuntilreleased by the retaining means as thecarrier moves to the discharging position upondisengagement ot the latch upon continued movement of said arm, and a connection,betweenV said retaining means and the base causing the Jformer to shift as the frame swings on its pivot.

13. A .clay pigeon trap comprising a basej a frame pivotally mounted upon the base. a target carrier mounted on the trame, a finger carried by the fra-me and extending over the carrier to support a target-in a predatesV minedposition on Athe carrier, means to si'ing the frame onY its pivot to .assume dii.-

V1ferent radial positions in respect to the base.

and a connection between said linger and the base toshift the finger to different positions in'respect to the carrier accordinglyT as the lll. A clay pigeon trapv coinprisinga base.

a tramegpivotally mounted-upon the base a target carrier mounted on the trame, a iin ger extending overthe target carrier to reltain` a Vtarget thereon inl aV predetermined adapted to be engaged by the pin in a determined part of the revolution of the shaft to check the momentum of the carrier.

24. A target trap comprising an oscillatory frame, means by which the oscillations of the frame are made variable in degree,a target carrier on the frame, target contacting means associated with the cariier, and means for varying the position of the contacting means in respect to the carrier with each oscillation of the frame.

25. A target trap comprising an oscillatory frame, a target carrier on the frame, target contacting means associated with the carrier, and means for shifting the contacting means in respect to the carrier witheach oscillation of the frame to perpetually vary the position on the carrier at which a target is retained prior to a discharging operation.

26. A target trap comprising a base adaptedV to remain stationa y, a frame mounted to oscillate onrthe base, atarget carrier on the frame, target contacting means so associated with the Jarrier as to retain a target thereon prior to and during an initial period of the discharging operation, and means associated both with the base and said contacting means to shift the latter upon an oscillation of the frame on the base to' change the position of the contacting means in respect to the carrier and accordingly vary the time of initial retention of the target in the aforesaid discharging operation.

27. A targetV trap Vcomprising a haseadapted to be stationary, a frame oscillatory on the base. a target carrier oscillatory on the frame, target contacting means associated with the carrier to retain a target in position prior to and during an initial period in a discharging operation, means movable upon the frame by which said contacting means is carried, means on the base for varying the oscillation of the frame for each discharging operation, and connecting means between the base and said carrying means to move it and the contacting means to a new position in respect said discharging operation.

29. VA target trap including an oscillatory frame, trap Voperating means including an operating arm and a tension rod adapted to move forwardly and reversely upon actuation of the operating means, means carried by the frame through which the tension rod passes, and resilient means carried by the rod and contacting said last means on each side to exert pressure on one side and then the other in the aforesaid actuations to swing the fra-me first in one direc.- tion and then the other. Y

30. A target trap including an oscillatory frame, t'ap operating means including an operating arm and a tension rod adapted to move forwardly and reversely upon actua-- tion of the operating mea-ns, means carried b v the frame through which the tension rod passes, resilient means carried bythe rod and contacting said last means on each side to exert pressure on one sideand then the other in the aforesaid actuations to swing the fra-ine first in one Vdirection and then the other, and stop means associated with the frame for limiting the swinging movement in said directions.

31.' A target trap including an oscillatory frame, trap operating means including an operating arm and a tension rod adapted to move forwardly and reversely upon actuation of the operating means, means-carried by the Vframe through which the tension rod passes, resilient means carried by the rod and contacting said last means on each side to exert pressure on one side and then the other in the aforesaid actuations to swing the frame first in one direction and then the other, stop means associated with the frame for limiting the swinging movement in said directions, and means which is actuated at alternate operations of the operating means to variously adjust said stop means and accordingly vary the swinging movement of the frame. Y

82. A target trap including a target carrier Y having a crank, a spring havingfconnection to the crank and being adapted to swing the carrier to a discharging position, and,V Y'

trap operating means'adapted to push on said spring in the direction of contraction in asettingoperation to turn the crankand move thecarrier to a set position.

38. A target trap including a target carrier having a crank, a spring having connection to the crank and being adaptedto swingthe carrier to a Vdischarging position, trap 0perating means adapted to *pushV jonV said spring in the directionof'contraction'in a Y setting Yoperation to turn Vthe crank andv move theV carrier to a set position, and means by which connection of the spring ismade with the crank arranged to rigidify said connection'so that the thrust of the spring is'imparted directly to the crank.

3A. A target .trap including a target carrier having a crank, a spring adapted to move the carrier to a discharging position, a. link by which the spring is connectedV to the crank, trap operating means Va-dapted to exert an @fait on the spring in the direction of contraction to move the carrier into the set position, and arms includedin said link having lugs disposed on each side of the end of the spring to prevent the link from swinging' outwardly in either direction and thus rigidity the connection of the spring with the link.

35. A target trap including a frame, a carrier mounted to swing on the frame, a liange at one side of the carrier having an opening, and a finger supported 'by the frame and extending through the opening to a position over the carrier in respect to both of which the finger is adapted to move.

3G. A target trap comprising a base, a frame oscillatory on the base, a target carrier oscillatory on the frame, a spring by which the target carrier is adapted to be moved to a discharging position, and trapoperating means which is movable in one direction and includes connections adapted to swing the frame into a predetermined position in respect to the base and to exert a force on the spring in the direction of contraction to move the carrier to a set position in respect to the frame.

37. A target trap comprising a base, a frame oscillatory on the base, a target carrier oscillatory on the frame, a spring by which the target carrier is adapted to be moved to a discharging position, trap operating means which is movable in one direction and includes connections adapted to swing the frame into a predetermined position in respect to the base and to exert a force on the spring in the direction of contraction to move the carrier to a set position in respect to the frame, and means carried by the frame adapted to catch and hold the carrier in said set position.

38. A target trap comprising a base, a frame oscillatory on the base, a target carrier oscillatory on the frame, a spring adapted to move the carrier to a discharging position, an operating arm carried by the frame to which an end of the spring is connected, a tension rod attached to said arm having connection with a portion of the frame, and trap operating means including a link in connection with the operating arm movable in one direction to swing the frame a predetermined distance in respect to the base through ysaid tension rod and move the carrier to a set position in respect to the frame through a compressing action on said spring.

39. A target trap comprising a base, a

frame oscillatory on the base, a target carrier oscillatory on the frame, a spring adapted to move the carrier to a discharging position, an operating arm carried by the frame to which an end of the spring is connected, a tension rod attached to said arm having connection with a portion of the frame, trap operating means including a link in connection with the operating arm movable in one direction to swing the frame a predetermined distance in respect to the base through said tension rod and move the carrier to a set position in respect to the frame through a compressing action on said spring, and means providing a connection between the spring and said carrier for the performance of said function including means causing said compressing action to be fully utilized in the setting action orn the carrier.

40. A target trap comprising a target carrier, means along the longitudinal edges of the carrier for guiding a target, an angling linger extending through the guide means at one side for retaining a target, a second angling finger spaced from the first adapted to follow said first angling finger, means upon which said angling fingers are mounted, and means for moving said mounting means in respect to the carrier.

4l. A target trap comprising a frame having a table, a target carrier which is mounted to swing on said frame, guide means along the longitudinal edges of the carrier for guiding a target, a pair of spaced angling fingers extending through one guide means and adapted to have a target positioned therebetween, a slide carrying said fingers mount-ed on said table, and means for moving the slide along the table to vary the positions of the fingers in respect to the carrier.

42. A target trap comprising a frame having a table, a target carrier which is mounted to swing on said frame, guide means along the longitudinal edges of the carrier for guiding a target, a pair of spaced angling fingers extending through one guide means and adapted to have a target positioned therebetween, a slide carrying said fingers mounted on said table, means for moving the slide along the table to vary the positions of the fingers in respect to the carrier, and means by which said fingers may be varied in position in respect to the slide individually.

CHARLES O. CAROTHERS. 

